A Different Take on Dragon #300
- Thread starter cybertalus
- Start date
Steve Conan Trustrum
Explorer
Yeah, the cover is a big let down. Compared to some of the October covers from before, especially some of the Elmores, this one just isn't up to par.
As for the rest, well, regardless of the actuall quality of what the cover or content is actually like, I think all the controversy is just going to make the issue, and the BoVD, to which it ties in, sell all the more. From what I've seen, all the arguements against it have done is make people more interested and inclined to buy it. Ah well.
As for the rest, well, regardless of the actuall quality of what the cover or content is actually like, I think all the controversy is just going to make the issue, and the BoVD, to which it ties in, sell all the more. From what I've seen, all the arguements against it have done is make people more interested and inclined to buy it. Ah well.
angramainyu
Community Supporter
cybertalus said:
You really think so? I would have thought the opposite, that with the proliferation of D&D and the many avenues for new writers to work through, that there would be an abundance of good material and writers to choose from.
Bendris Noulg
First Post
True... But the web is becoming a very active media (like my own site, for instance), especially since WotC doesn't make it a habit to sue or gripe so long as you don't reprint non-OGC material.
Darrin Drader
Explorer
Well, in all honesty, I'm not as overly impressed with this issue as I'd hoped to be myself.
On the other hand, this was probably the worst time to try to pull out a centennial issue. I mean come on, they just moved the entire periodicals department out of WotC and created a new company out of it. I don't have the lowdown on Paizo, but I suspect that they don't have as much of a budget as Wizards gave them. I could be wrong about that - I don't have any inside information on this, but it would make sense. So given the new ownership, and the (assumed) change in budget, I think they did alright with it.
Aside from that, keep in mind that this provides more of what sells. People seem to want more prestige classes, more magic items, and cool rules expansions. A lot of people want a taste of what's to come with the new WotC releases. Personally I would like a little more nostalgia, fun articles, game suggestions, and other unique elements, but they need to produce what sells in order to continue to sell it to us demanding fans.
At any rate, I know the group working on the mags are bright and incredibly dedicated individuals, and they do the best job that they can under the circumstances. I look forward to the inevitable change in direction that will happen under Paizo. And hey, cut 'em a break.
On the other hand, this was probably the worst time to try to pull out a centennial issue. I mean come on, they just moved the entire periodicals department out of WotC and created a new company out of it. I don't have the lowdown on Paizo, but I suspect that they don't have as much of a budget as Wizards gave them. I could be wrong about that - I don't have any inside information on this, but it would make sense. So given the new ownership, and the (assumed) change in budget, I think they did alright with it.
Aside from that, keep in mind that this provides more of what sells. People seem to want more prestige classes, more magic items, and cool rules expansions. A lot of people want a taste of what's to come with the new WotC releases. Personally I would like a little more nostalgia, fun articles, game suggestions, and other unique elements, but they need to produce what sells in order to continue to sell it to us demanding fans.
At any rate, I know the group working on the mags are bright and incredibly dedicated individuals, and they do the best job that they can under the circumstances. I look forward to the inevitable change in direction that will happen under Paizo. And hey, cut 'em a break.
cybertalus
First Post
I don't disagree that there are more writers working in D&D/d20 and more material being written for it. I just wonder how much of that material ever gets sent in as a proposal to Dragon, and how much goes straight to someone's website.angramainyu said:
I don't have any special knowledge that makes me think this. I've just noticed a lot of really good stuff on websites. Stuff that I'd sure have liked to seen in the pages of Dragon.
Haven't got #300... I don't have big expectations though. Maybe because I am a comic reader and the round or 'special" issues tend not to be as special as one would think. Hologram cover make me anticipate? please.
Anyways, it is very interesting. I find Dragon to be much more useful since the 3e stuff than before it. Perhaps that is just me. Is every issue perfect? No way. Do I wish they did stuff differently or take a different tract in some articles. Of course. I don't find it so poor as to not buy though (I do NOT buy every issue).
Just my 2 sp
Anyways, it is very interesting. I find Dragon to be much more useful since the 3e stuff than before it. Perhaps that is just me. Is every issue perfect? No way. Do I wish they did stuff differently or take a different tract in some articles. Of course. I don't find it so poor as to not buy though (I do NOT buy every issue).
Just my 2 sp
Disappointed
I remember when I first laid eyes on issue 100 when it was released. I HAD TO HAVE THAT!
I've got 10 copies of issue #200, it was BRILLIANT.
All I can say about issue #300 is, "Ho-hum."
It was WAY below the high standards of the usual copies of Dragon magazine, and far below what I would expect from a milestone issue.
I remember when I first laid eyes on issue 100 when it was released. I HAD TO HAVE THAT!
I've got 10 copies of issue #200, it was BRILLIANT.
All I can say about issue #300 is, "Ho-hum."
It was WAY below the high standards of the usual copies of Dragon magazine, and far below what I would expect from a milestone issue.
Sir Whiskers
First Post
I have to agree that #300 was a disappointment, but I've felt that way about every issue for the past year or so. In part this is because the magazine seems to focused on marketing the latest products - remember the Annual, which was little more than a collection of marketing pieces for D20 material? This latest issue was far more focused on introducing the BOVD than on celebrating 300 issues of the magazine.
I remember seeing my first Dragon about 25 years ago (issue #3) and being so excited about the article on character backgrounds. Later issues had articles on using weather in a campaign (which I used extensively), on creating believable dungeons ("Let There Be a Method to Your Madness"), on Metamorphosis Alpha (which inspired me to send the players through a dungeon with robots), and so on. The artwork in the very early Dragons did not compare with what we see today, but the focus seemed so much better.
IMHO, I'd suggest two directions for the Dragon for the future:
1. Focus on material which can be used by all (nearly all) GM's and players. I don't mind FR stuff, as long as I can adapt it without too much trouble. Articles that require me to go out and buy yet another $30 book before I can use the material from the article should be used sparingly, if at all. Let WOTC put that stuff on their website. Some of the best material the Dragon ever published was the series of articles on Dungeoncraft by Ray Winninger - we need more quality articles like his. For 3E, Class Acts was great - what about doing a series on how to shape the various classes and characters, without resorting to prestige classes, e.g, the fighter as archer, tank, leader, etc; the wizard as sage, explorer, scientist, and so on?
2. Give me something new! I love the drow as villains, but I really expected a new grand villain for the new edition. Since WOTC hasn't come up with one, why doesn't the Dragon? How about physically weak shapeshifters who manipulate worlds behind the scenes (not dopplegangers)? Plane traveling villains who scout for an army which conquers entire planes? If not villains, try something else - what about a series on demi-planes? I realize that in 300 issues, the Dragon has seemingly covered it all, but I just don't believe that. There is new stuff (of varying quality) on the web all the time - let's get more of it (the best stuff) in the Dragon.
I've enjoyed the Dragon - off and on - for over 25 years. I really want to continue doing so.
I remember seeing my first Dragon about 25 years ago (issue #3) and being so excited about the article on character backgrounds. Later issues had articles on using weather in a campaign (which I used extensively), on creating believable dungeons ("Let There Be a Method to Your Madness"), on Metamorphosis Alpha (which inspired me to send the players through a dungeon with robots), and so on. The artwork in the very early Dragons did not compare with what we see today, but the focus seemed so much better.
IMHO, I'd suggest two directions for the Dragon for the future:
1. Focus on material which can be used by all (nearly all) GM's and players. I don't mind FR stuff, as long as I can adapt it without too much trouble. Articles that require me to go out and buy yet another $30 book before I can use the material from the article should be used sparingly, if at all. Let WOTC put that stuff on their website. Some of the best material the Dragon ever published was the series of articles on Dungeoncraft by Ray Winninger - we need more quality articles like his. For 3E, Class Acts was great - what about doing a series on how to shape the various classes and characters, without resorting to prestige classes, e.g, the fighter as archer, tank, leader, etc; the wizard as sage, explorer, scientist, and so on?
2. Give me something new! I love the drow as villains, but I really expected a new grand villain for the new edition. Since WOTC hasn't come up with one, why doesn't the Dragon? How about physically weak shapeshifters who manipulate worlds behind the scenes (not dopplegangers)? Plane traveling villains who scout for an army which conquers entire planes? If not villains, try something else - what about a series on demi-planes? I realize that in 300 issues, the Dragon has seemingly covered it all, but I just don't believe that. There is new stuff (of varying quality) on the web all the time - let's get more of it (the best stuff) in the Dragon.
I've enjoyed the Dragon - off and on - for over 25 years. I really want to continue doing so.
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